If you’re searching for a simple yet incredibly flavorful chicken recipe, look no further than these Baked Crack Chicken Breasts. This dish is your secret weapon for busy weeknights, delivering maximum taste with minimal effort, making it a truly indispensable addition to your recipe repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 medium breasts)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheddar blend)
- 4-6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
How to Make Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Get ready for a chicken dish that’s unbelievably easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and bursting with irresistible flavors. The magic lies in its simplicity: a creamy, cheesy sauce that hugs tender baked chicken breasts, complemented by the savory crunch of bacon. This recipe boasts a preparation time of just 15 minutes, making it perfect for those evenings when time is of the essence.
- H3: Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
- Trim and Pound Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness. This helps them cook more uniformly. Season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Make the Creamy Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir until smooth and well combined. This creates the luscious base for our “crack” topping.
- Spread the Topping: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cheese should be melted and bubbly, with a slightly golden hue.
- Add the Bacon: During the last 5 minutes of baking, or immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle the crumbled cooked bacon over the top of the chicken. This adds that irresistible salty crunch.
- Rest and Serve: Let the Baked Crack Chicken Breasts rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
This Baked Crack Chicken Breasts recipe is an absolute winner because of its unbelievably creamy, cheesy, and bacon-kissed topping that coats incredibly moist chicken. It’s a far cry from a plain baked chicken breast, offering a flavor explosion that feels decadent without the fuss. Economically, making this at home is a smart move; you’ll save a significant amount compared to ordering a similar dish at a restaurant, using everyday ingredients that are budget-friendly but deliver gourmet taste.
The combination of rich cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds. Forget bland dinners; this dish is guaranteed to become your new secret weapon for satisfying everyone at the table.
It’s the perfect centerpiece for a weeknight meal, easily paired with a simple salad or your favorite steamed vegetables. Imagine the delightful crunch of the bacon mingling with the velvety, gooey cheese sauce – pure comfort food at its finest. So, why not ditch the takeout menu and give this incredibly delicious and easy Baked Crack Chicken Breasts a try? Your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Baked Crack Chicken Breasts will ensure you can enjoy every last bite.
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely before storing. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, Baked Crack Chicken Breasts will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken. Ensure it’s completely cooled. Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen Baked Crack Chicken Breasts can be kept for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat refrigerated portions, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also gently reheat it in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to prevent drying. For frozen portions, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating using the same methods. You can also reheat directly from frozen in a 325°F (160°C) oven for a longer period, approximately 30-40 minutes.
Final Thoughts
This Baked Crack Chicken Breasts recipe is a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly extraordinary. Give it a try for your next meal; you’ll be amazed by the incredible flavor and ease of preparation.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Baked Crack Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts. If your chicken breasts are very thick, you can pound them slightly to an even thickness. This helps them cook more uniformly. Season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Stir until smooth and well combined. This creates the luscious base for our “crack” topping.8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, ensuring each piece is well-coated.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cheese should be melted and bubbly, with a slightly golden hue.
- During the last 5 minutes of baking, or immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle the crumbled cooked bacon over the top of the chicken. This adds that irresistible salty crunch.4-6 slices cooked bacon
- Let the Baked Crack Chicken Breasts rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken. Serve hot.